Monday, 27 August 2012

Every once in a while you read something which really sums up something at the forefront of your mind.

The Justin Campaign was set up to highlight the prejudices in football towards the LGBT community and show that, in its current form, the sport cannot truly claim to be the beautiful game.

Some are in denial over the homophobia in the game, others prefer to let abuse pass by. But it really does affect people, both players and fans, who love the sport.

One such example is Stephen Bickford, a United States U-18 player, who was 2004 NSCAA/Adidas National High School
Player of the Year and University of North
Carolina striker, all while living the life of a young man in the
closet.

Within a personal blog post for US website and campaign group gay4soccer, Stephen writes: "Scoring goals was my job, and it was also my favorite thing to do on this earth. Fortunately for me, the team I had playing behind me made my job a whole lot easier than it could have been, and I have to give them credit for getting me the ball as much as they did.

"One would think that my life couldn’t have been happier: playing for a fantastic team, winning trophies and scoring goals at will. What could I possibly be unhappy about? Well, I knew I was gay.

"Being gay and playing a team sport can be incredibly frightening. You live in constant fear of having your teammates find out your secret, and in constant terror of what the consequences will be."

The entire post, which was posted by US website gay4soccer, is well worth reading. In fact, we INSIST you do. Follow the link here.

Monday, 13 August 2012

With record crowds, some great sporting action and memories to inspire future generations, the 30th Olympiad was a triumphant success. But, beneath the cheers, celebratory music and fireworks there was a worrying statistic. Tim Ridgway, of The Justin Campaign, asks where were the openly gay sporting role models?

For two weeks, the world's gaze was on London as the city hosted the Olympic games. From world records to unprecedented crowds, it was a fortnight to remember as the finest athletes from across five continents gathered in a small corner of the east end to battle it out for the coveted crown as the world's best.

TEARS OF JOY: Sir Chris Hoy

There were tears of joy - Sir Chris Hoy (right) and Jessica Ennis for two - and tears of disappointment - Victoria Pendleton and the Brazilian football team among them - as competitors gave their all.

It led to comedian Sue Perkins jokingly tweet: "So there you have it, today's syllogistic argument has taken us to the conclusion that if you're gay you WILL win a gold".

INSPIRING: Megan Rapinoe

One of the more famous gay sportsmen is Australian diver Matt Mitcham, who failed to progress beyond the semi-final stage of the 10m diving competition despite being defending champion.

Then there is the South African archer Karen Hultzer who hopes coming out at the London Olympics will
help people struggling with their sexuality and add to the fight
against homophobia in sport.

But considering there are nearly 11,000 athletes from more than 200
countries competing, this is a shockingly low percentage which is not
even worth calculating. It is certainly far lower than the three to eight per cent figure which population experts believe to be LGBT in the world.

Why is it that when the world comes together to celebrate there is dismal number of people who are openly LGBT?For some representatives of certain countries, notably those in African and Middle Eastern countries where homosexuality is illegal or met with the death penalty, there are clear reasons for perhaps maintaining silence on the issue.But countries in western Europe, such as USA, the Netherlands and Great Britain, surely there are more athletes who are LGBT but have chosen not to publicly admit it?

The oft used arguments in football is that there is too much pressure on any individual that does come out; that fans are not ready for it; that the media will make the person's life difficult. Perhaps, with the intense four-year training programme that people that go though, the last thing they want is the added publicity of known as, to use an example, "the gay rower" or "that lesbian boxer"?

Whatever the reasons, sporting authorities across the world must ask themselves if they really are delivering a games for all. Nutritionists, physiotherapists, sports psychologists - all are seen as integral to a winning team. But is there enough of a support network for those who want to come out?

The Justin Campaign has always held the view that it is up to individuals to decide if and when they want to come out. No one should ever be backed into a corner and forced into making a highly personal decision under the media microscope. But it should also not be something people are frightened of.Looking at the examples above, there are plenty across a wide range of sports who have come out. Anyone that wants to take the step should not be scared. Look at the above role models. There are people out there who are out and proud. What's more they are quietly doing their bit to smash prejudice and picking up a few medals along the way.

SUCCESS: The closing ceremony of London 2012

In football in particularly there have been major strides in recent years towards making the beautiful game an equal one. Perhaps, with soccer becoming an established sport at the Olympics, it could lead the way in promoting LGBT inclusion? Perhaps it will be led by individual countries? Perhaps it will be led by the International Olympic Committee?
Former NBA basketballer John Amaechi, who worked for the BBC during London 2012, summed it up best in a recent interview. He said: “I do see encouraging signs. There is a generation of young people for whom achievement is
important and sexuality is secondary.

“But there is another generation who are dinosaurs. Who want things as they
used to be without those pesky women, black people and gays getting in the
way. And quite a few of those people work in sports administration.

“In the end, perhaps we will get to the point where it doesn’t matter so much,
it doesn’t define you. But we need help to get there. No minority in history has gained any measure of acceptance without the help
of the majority.”
Looking ahead to four years time in Rio, would it not be great to see the numbers of openly LGBT athletes rise again? Perhaps this is the legacy that organisers of London were talking about: a true games for all.

A Uefa statement said: "Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings against Italy's Antonio Cassano for a discriminatory press statement during Euro 2012, the UEFA Control
and Disciplinary Body has decided to impose a fine of 15,000 euros on
the player.

"An appeal can be lodged against this decision within three days of the dispatch of the full, written decision."

A Justin Campaign spokesman said: "We welcome this high-profile action from Uefa as a step in the right direction.

"Antonio Cassano's comments were wrong, particularly given his high-profile and the media attention that was on him at the time. Sadly the fine is hardly going to hit Cassano in the pocket but the fact footballing bodies are showing it is not welcome, is a positive sign."

She
said: “We approached them and they received us as they would anyone
wanting to use the stadium. There was no hesitation on their part at
all. They have been enormously supportive and extremely professional.

“The
entire team at the Keepmoat Stadium accommodate our every whim and our
planning is made so much easier because of this, I guess that's their
professionalism, but every member of the team is so supportive of Pride.

“The venue is a prestigious place for us and being linked to the Keepmoat Stadium helps enormously.

“Being
gay really shouldn't be a big deal and hosting a Pride at the stadium
proves Doncaster really is showing the rest of the country that that's
what they believe.

“Let's use Doncaster as an example. Let's
tackle the awful issue of homophobia and football, let’s make a
statement and hope others follow.”

Gavin Baldwin, chief executive
of Doncaster Rovers, added: “We work closely with our local community
and its diverse members, this sees us working with a wide range of
organisations and we see our growing partnership with Doncaster Gay
Pride is a huge success.

“This is a relationship that we are sure will thrive, one that we are proud of, with an organisation that we fully support.

“Each
year the Gay Pride event attracts thousands of people and we are
pleased that this partnership means that the annual event is now hosted
at the Keepmoat Stadium. We will continue to work closely with this
organisation to help them to achieve their aims and make their event the
best it can be.”

Premier League side Liverpool, a supporter of
The Justin Campaign, have also backed its city’s Pride event in August
and its men’s and women’s teams will be taking part in the parade.

Doncaster’s Pride will be held on August 5. For more details, visit www.doncasterpride.co.uk

Monday, 16 July 2012

Volunteers from the Justin Campaign were among hundreds of people to attend this weekend's People's Day in Brighton and Hove.

The day, which aims to showcase the splendid variety of Brighton and Hove’s community, proved a great opportunity for the campaign to raise awareness its work and meet some great people from other community groups.

We recruited some new volunteers, and also got to challenge people to a game of table football. That was just part of a successful and fun day out.

Our stall also had examples of the education work the Campaign has been involved in along with photos of tournaments and education projects. It was really gratifying that so many people came over to chat and offer their support for the campaign.

People’s Day was all about embracing difference and along with the Sudanese, Chinese, Gambian, police officers, singers, artists and cakemakers who shared the hall with us we learned a lot about how diversity makes you stronger.

And we got to play table football, with Bill Randall, the city's Mayor. Final score? Well, let’s just say it’s not the winning but the taking part, and People’s Day was all about everyone taking part.

Wednesday, 11 July 2012

The Justin Campaign led the way in campaigning for equality in football at World Pride in London.

A group of our volunteers joined a number of national sports for the international event to show their commitment to inclusion in sport and their
support for LGBT equality.

Photo credit: Jeff Knezovich

All the
associations invited grassroots LGBT sports group or club to represent
them at the event.

The Justin Campaign was honoured when the Football Association asked it if it would represent the beautiful game by raising
awareness of our Football v Homophobia initiative.

Together with sports fans and players representing tennis, volleyball, netball, cricket,
athletics, rugby league, softball the crowd paraded through London with chants including "2-4-6-8, are your
players really straight?".

Rebecca Sandles, of the Justin Campaign, said: "We were
greeted by smiles and cheers along the route. It was a great day out
and we bought Football v Homophobia to the heart of West End, marching down Regent Street
and on to Trafalgar Square and Whitehall."

With staff, fans and players from its women's team walking behind banners provided by the club, the team will become the first Premier League club to be officially represented at a UK LGBT Pride event.

Ian Ayre, managing director at Liverpool Football Club, said: “Here at
LFC, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that equality
and principles of inclusion are embedded into all areas of Liverpool
Football Club and for many years, we have taken positive steps to
promote our stance against homophobia both on and off the pitch.”

Both events are further sign that the football world is slowly realising that there is no future for inequality in football. Let's hope we can all build on these events and make sure our beloved game becomes a sport for all and something we can all be proud of.